Hold down means for magazines with fasteners of different heights



July 9, 1957 ALLEN 2,798,218 HOLD DOWN MEANS FOR MAGAZINES WITH FASTENERS 0F DIFFERENT HEIGHTS Filed Nov. 15. 1955 2 SheePs-Shee l LLI-D H. G. ALLEN FOR MAGAZINES WITH FASTENERS OF DIFFERENT HEIGHTS July- 9, 1957 HOLD DOWN MEANS Sheets-Sheez Filed Nov. 15, 1,955

Hou) ard /QTTORNEYS INVENTOR: @Qllezz United States Patent i 2,798,218 Patented July 9, 1957 tice HOLD DOWN MEANS FR MAGAZINES WITH FASTENERS F DIFFERENT HEIGHTS Howard G. Allen, Stonington,

Conn., assigner to Bostiteh, Inc., Stonington,

This invention relates to improvements in fastenerapplying implements for attaching papers and other sheets, fastening tags and labels to articles of commerce, and for use generally in attaching various objects and articles.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an implement of the type indicated having a magazine capable of containing and feeding fasteners constructed in different sizes, for example, staples having relatively long or short legs.

Another object of the invention is to provide an implement of the type indicated having a coreless magazine with an open side through which fasteners may be loaded into the magazine and a fastener-driver operating lever forming a closure for the open side of the magazine and movable relatively thereto for applying fasteners to the work.

Another object s to provide an implement of the type indicated having hold-down means for retaining the staples seated in the magazine with their legs supported on the bottom thereof, said hold-down means being automatically adjustable to diferent positions in accordance with the size of the staples contained in the magazine.

Another object is to provide an implement of the type indicated having substantially all of its parts constructed of sheet-metal stamped out and shaped by forming them in dies or the like.

Another object is to provide an implement of the type indicated of simple and compact construction comprising a minimum number of parts adapted for economical manufacture.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred form of construction of the implement, by way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the complete mplement showing its magazine-arm and staple-driving lever as raised above the base to adapt the work to be inserted therebetween;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the implement showing the operating mechanism on the interior thereof and illustrating the magazine as loaded with staples having relatively short legs;

Fig. 3 is `a similar view showing the magazine loaded with staples having relativelylong legs and illustrating the magazine-arm and operating lever as depressed for applying a staple to the work and clinching its legs on the under side thereof;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the implement showing the operating lever as raised and tilted back from the magazine for loading it with staples;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed view showing the resilient rest at the end of the magazine with the operating lever pivoted rearwardly and supported in tilted relationship by the rest;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional View through the forward part of the implement showing the hold-down member and the means for automatically latching it in posia staples having relatively long legs;

Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the hold-down member adjusted for cooperation with staples having relatively short legs and latched in position by the automatically engaged detent-means therefor;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view at the rearward end of the implement showing the detent-means for limiting the upward pivoting motion of the staple-magazine and driver-operating lever;

Fig. 9 is a similar transverse sectional view at the rearward end of the implement showing the means for pivoting the magazine and driver-operating lever and the fastening means for the pivot-pin;

Fig. l0 is a part-sectional top plan view at the forward end of the magazine showing the detent-means for limiting the pivotal movement of the hold-down member relative to the driver-operating lever; and

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional View on line 11-11 of Fig. 1 showing the detent-means for limiting the pivotal movement of the hold-down member relative to the driver-operating lever.

In the present specification and accompanying drawings the invention is disclosed as applied to a hand-operated implement, such as a desk stapler for applying U-shaped staples, but it is to be understood that the present improvements may be used in connection with Staplers or wire-stitching machines of other types, either hand or power operated.

As herein illustrated the implement comprises the main elements of a relatively lat rectangular base 2, a hollow staple-magazine 3 pivoted above the base, and a driveroperating lever 5 pivoted to swing about the same axis as the magazine, this being a conventional arrangement of the parts of stapling devices. The base 2 may be constructed of sheet-metal to provide a flat top-wall 6 and downturned marginal anges 7. Resilient pads 8 (Figs. 2, 3) of rubber or equivalent material are located at the forward and rearward ends of the base 2 to cushion the implement as it rests on a table or other support. The base 2 has adjustable clinching means 9 at its forward end comprising an anvil 10 formed with clinchergrooves 11 of varying disposition for bending the legs of a staple in different directions. The anvil 10 is mounted at the forward end of a plate 12 which is slidable on the under side of the top-wall 6 of the base 2. The anvil 16 projects upwardly through a rectangular opening 13 in the top of the base 2 which is enlarged to adapt it to slide in either direction for adjusting the different clinchergrooves in operative position. A projecting V-shaped ledge or detent-abutment 14 on the under side of the plate 12 is disposed for engagement by a leaf-spring 15 having a rounded bent portion 16 at its end adapted to snap over the abutment 14 for locking the anvil 10 in either forward or rearward position on the base. The leaf-spring 15 is fastened to the under side of the topwall 6 of the base 2 by means of a rivet 17 and is extended rearwardly therefrom with its end 18 underlying a slidable plunger-pin 20 for controlling the final downward pivotal movement 'of the magazine 3 in a manner later explained.

At the rearward end of the base 2 is a U-shaped stanchion 25 (Figs. 2, 8) fastened to the top-wall 6 of the base 2 by rivets 26 and 27 and having its spaced vertical Walls 28 formed with circular ears 29 (Fig. 4) for pivotally mounting the magazine 3 and the driveroperating lever 5 by means of a cross-pin 30.

The magazine 3 is of hollow box-like construction comprising a bottom wall 31, upstanding side walls 32 and shorter end walls 33 and 34. Thus the magazine is open at the top to adapt the staples s to be inserted thereinto with their legs resting on the bottom of the magazine; the staples usually being packaged for shipment and use in the form of sticks or relills with the individual staples cemented together, in parallel relationship in series. A rod 35 (Fig. 2) extends longitudinally of the interior' of the magazine 3 with its reduced ends held in holes in the end walls 33 and 34; the staples s being adapted to straddle the rod as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. A hardened' plate 36 held against the rearward end wall 34 of the magazine 3 (Figs. 2, 3) by the shoulder on the' rod :35 has its upper portion curled over to provide a rest for the end of the operating lever when the latter is swung back into the position shown in Figs. Zand 5.

A staple-pusher 40 of usual construction is adapted to slide longitudinally of the rod 35 and to be propelled therealong by a helical spring 41 surrounding the rod ,for

feeding the staples forwardly to the drivingmeans of.

the implement. p

Fastened to the forward end of the magazine 3 is a U-shaped housing member 42 (Figs. l, 4) havingits front wall 47 spaced at a slight distance from the forward wall 33 of the magazine 3 to provide a guideway or throat 48 (Fig. 2) for receiving the foremostvstaple fed from the magazine to adapt itto be driven therethrough for setting it in the work. The side Walls 49 of the housing" 42 overlap and abut the upstanding portions 50 of the forward side walls 32 of the magazine, being ixedly secured thereto by welding or other means to provide a reinforced structure.

The driver-operating lever 5 is of conventional construction having a top-wall 52 with depending vertical side walls 53 and a front wall 54 closing its forward end;

The rearward circular ends of the side walls 53 are formed with holes for receiving the ends of the pivot-pin 30, n previously mentioned. Preferably, a hand-rest 55 is proA vided overlying the forward end of the lever 5 and fas tened thereto by rivets 56. The rivets 56 are made use of for attaching the staple-driver 60 to the lever 5, the driver' being constructed of hardened metal in right-angular shape with a portion abutting the under side of the top-wall 52 of the lever 5. A substantially vertical blade-like extension 62 forms the driver proper which'is slidable in the guideway or throat 48 at the forward end of the magazine 3.

Referring to Fig. 2, a leaf-spring 63 fastened at one y 5 rocked upwardly about the pivot-pin 30 and initially.

resisting the pressure to force the magazine downwardly in the manner later explained. As shown in Fig. 3, the spring 63 cooperates with the stronger spring 15, previously described, by engaging the upper end of the plunger-pin 20 during the latter part of the downward movement of the driver-operating lever 5 and magazine 3. The extent of upward movement of the magazine 3 -is limited by means of detent-lugs 37 sheared from the side walls 28 of the stanchion member 25 (Fig. 8) and bent inwardly to adapt their ends to engage the edges of rectangular openings 38 in the side Walls 32 of the magazine 3. At the forward end of the magazine 3 the sides 49 of the housing 42 are formed with lugs 64 for gripping it with the lingers when it is required to raise the operating lever 5 and the hold-down member 65 above the magazine to open it for loading the fasteners thereinto.

The hold-down member 65 (Figs. 2, 4, l0, ll) for engaging the crossbars or crowns of the staples s to prevent them from riding up from the bottom of the maga zine 3 is of inverted trough-shape having an upperat wall 66 and spaced vertical side walls 67. The side Walls 67 are formed at their rearward ends with circular ears 68 pierced to receive the pivot-pin 30 for hingedly mounting the member 65 within the sides of the operating lever 5. A leaf-spring 70 overlying the top-wall 66 of the member 65 and riveted thereto at 71 has its forward portion curved upwardly as shown in Fig. 2 with its end engaging under the top-wall 52 of the operating lever 5. The rearward end of the spring 70 is bent downwardly in an arc at 72 to adapt it to engage across the reduced central portion 73 of the pivot-pin 30 (Fig. 9) between shoulders 74 thereon to retain the vpin in its bearingsin the several parts of the pivoted members.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the hold-down member 65 is yieldingly adjustable in its relation to the magazine 3 to adapt it to overlie the staples with the lower edges of its side walls 67 engaging their crossbars or crowns i (Figs. 6, 7). Referring to these latter views, the hold-down member 65 is automatically latched in either its upper or lower position, in accordance with the size of the staples to be used in the appliance, by detent-means comprising f a pair of slidable studs or plungers 75 having rounded or convex ends adapted to engage in dilerently-positioned holes 76 and 77 in the upstanding portions 50 of the side walls 32l of the magazine 3. The studs or plungers 75 are slidable through holes 78 in the side walls 67 of 'Q the member 65 and are provided with flanges 79 for limiting their sliding movement under the tension of a helical spring 80 having its ends enclosing reduced portions 81 of the plungers and bearing against their flanges 79. The rounded or convex ends of the plungers 75 adapt them to slide easily on thel inner faces of the walls of the magazine 3 for engagement with either pair of holes 76 or 77 and to be released therefrom when it is desired to shift the position of the member 65 in adjusting it for staples of a different size. v

The hold-down member 65 is prevented from being released from the-driverlever 5 under the pressure of the spring 70 by means of lugs 85 (Figs. l0, 1l) at its forward end which are engageable with ears 86 projecting inwardly from the side walls 53 of the driver-lever.

"-l The lugs 85 are formed from portions of the metal cut away from the top-wall 66 of the member 65 and bent to project outwardly from its side walls 67; while the ears 86 on the inside of the driver-operating lever 5 are formed by stamping its side walls 53 on the outside to project portions of the metal inwardly.

The structure and arrangement of the complete appliance having been described in detail, its method of operation is explained as follows: To load the magazine.

3 with staples the driver-operating lever 5 is swung rear- '4 wardlyV (Fig. 4) to support it on the rest 36 (Fig. 5). The

staple-pusher 40 may then beretracted by gripping it with the lingers and sliding it rearwardly along the rod 35 by compressing the spring 41. While holding the pusher 40 in its retracted relationship a supply of staples Y s orA s' may be inserted into the magazine 3; a relatively type of staples the hold-down member .is carried downlarge number of staples being usually cemented together in stick form and such a stick or several sticks may be dropped into the magazine 3 to support the staples with the ends of their legs resting on the bottom thereof.

As has been stated previously, the implement is adapted for use withv staples of different size having their legs of greater or lesser length and Figs. 2 and 7 represent the magazine as lled with the smaller staples. Withrthis wardly by depressing the driver-operating lever 5 to cause the bottonredges of its side walls 67 to engage against the forward end of the staple-stick as shown in Fig. 2, thereby causing the plungers 75 to engage with the lower pair of holes 77 in the side walls of the magazine 3 (Fig. 7), the spring 80 acting automatically to snap the plungers into this engagement.

When it isdesired rto use legs the holddown member 65 is adjusted in its upper relationship (Figs. 3, 6) by causing the ends of the plungers 75 to automatically engage with the openings 7 6in the side walls of the magazine 3 In this last explained` largerstaples s having longer walls 67 of the member 63 will engage against the crowns of the staples s throughout the full length of the staple stick as shown in Fig. 3. In either case the memberl 65 is latched in position automatically to prevent the staples from riding up or becoming displaced in the magazine. It will be understood that the latching of the hold-down member 65 in eitherposition as above explained retains it in proper relationship to the driver-lever 5. When, however, the driver-lever is swung back to the position shown in Fig. 4 to load the magazine the plunger-pins 75 will be released from the holes 76 or 77 to disconnect the operating lever from the magazine.

After the clinchng anvil has been adjusted on the base 2 to set the proper clinching grooves 11 in alinement with the staple-driver 62 so as to effect the type of clinch desired, the work to be stapled is placed across the clinching anvil as shown in Fig. 3. The machine is then ready for operation and can be manipulated manually in the usual manner by` pressing `down on the handrest 55. The operating lever 5 is thus'caused Vto be rocked downwardly to carry the driver-blade 62 down through the guideway or throat 48 to engage the top of the foremost staple which has been fed forwardly thereinto by means of the pusher 40.

As the driver-operating lever 5 is initially depressed it acts to pivot the magazine 3 downwardly with it andv being resiliently connected to the member 65 by means of lthe spring 70 the hold-down member is moved into the magazine to engage the bottom edges of its side walls 67 with the crossbars of the staples s. At this juncture the plungers 75 will be carried into engagement with the proper holes 76 or 77 to latch the member 65 to the magazine 3 and also hold the operating lever 5 in connection therewith. As pressure on the operating lever 5 is continued the relatively light spring 63 yields and engages the plunger-pin 20 (Fig. 3). Thereafter, as the magazine 3 approaches the work on the anvil 10 to finally engage therewith the stiffer spring is brought into action. p Greater resistance is thus applied to the downward movement of the magazine 3 so that the operating lever 5 will be caused to swing downwardly relatively to the magazine and eventually, as the `downward movement of the magazine is arrested by its engagement with the work (Fig. 3), the driver-blade 62 will be forced downwardly in the throat 48 to drive the staple s' into the work and clinch its legs on the under side thereof in the usual manner.

After a staple has been applied to the work, pressure on the hand-rest 50 is relieved and the springs 15 and 63 will react to raise the forward end of the magazine 3, and therewith the operating lever 5, to the position shown in Fig. 2. As the staple-driver 62 is withdrawn upwardly in the guideway 48 and released from the foremost staple in the magazine the pusher 40 will act to advance this staple into the throat beneath the driver. The implement is then ready for another operation in the manner above explained and can be operated continuously to apply single staples to the work as long as a supply remains in the magazine 3. Usually, before the last staple is driven the supply in the magazine is replenished as can be conveniently effected in the manner previously explained.

It will be observed from the foregoing specification and by reference to the drawings that the present invention provides an improved and simplified construction which reduces the whole number of its parts without altering its strength and efficiency. The invention also provides for using staples of different sizes in the same irnplement while retaining them in the open-sided magazine which is more convenient to load than in certain previously used implements.

While the invention is herein illustrated and described as embodied in a certain type of implement, it is to be understood that the improvements may be applied t0 other forms of stapling or stitching machines such as tackers, hammers or the like adapted for either manual '6 operation or power driven. Various changes may be made in the form and construction of the parts of the device without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims. There fore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

l. In a fastener-applying device, a hollow magazine Open on its side for loading fasteners thereinto, a holddown member .so constructed and mounted on the device as to move toward the open side of said magazine for engaging the fasteners to prevent them from being displaced therein, and latching means positively engageable between said hold-down member and said magazine for selectively fastening said hold-down member in different positions relatively to said magazine to adapt it to engage the tops of fasteners of varying heights.

2. in a fastener-applying device, a hollow magazine having an open side for loading the fasteners thereinto, a hold-down member movably mounted on the device above said magazine for engagement with the fasteners to retain them in the magazine, and latching means engageable between said magazine and said hold-down member for selectively fastening said member in different positions of adjustment in conformity with the height of the fasteners contained in the magazine.

3. In a fastener-applying device, a hollow magazine having an open top for loading the fasteners thereinto, a hold-down member pivotally mounted on said magazine to adapt it to be moved down into engagement with the top of fasteners held in the magazine, and latching means for selectively fastening said hold-down member in different po'sitions relative to the bottom of the magazine in accordance with the height of the fasteners contained therein.

4. In a fastener-applying device, the combination of a hollow magazine having a bottom and upstanding sides with an open top for loading fasteners into said magazine, a hold-down member pivoted on a xed axis above said magazine to adapt it to be moved downwardly thereinto to engage the top of the fasteners held in the magazine, and automatically-operated latching means for selectively fastening 'said hold-down member in different positions relative to the magazine in conformity with the height of the fasteners contained therein.

5. In a fastener-applying device, a hollow magazine having an open top for loading staples thereinto, a lever for operating said device to apply staples to the work, a hold-down member carried between said lever and said magazine to adapt it to engage against the tops of the staples held therein, :and automatically-operated latching means for selectively fastening said hold-down member in different positions relative to said magazine to accommodate staples of selected varying heights.

6. In a fastener-applying device, a hollow magazine having an open top for loading staples thereinto resting on the bottom of said magazine, a hold-down member pivotally mounted in connection with said magazine to adapt it to swing down into engagement with the tops of the staples held in the magazine, and resilientlyactuated latching means engageable between said holddown member and the magazine for fastening said member at varying distances from the bottom of the magazine to engage the tops of staples of selected varying heights.

7. In a stapling or wire-stitching machine, a hollow magazine having an open side for the insertion of staples thereinto, a member mounted on a fixed pivot thereabove to move toward and away from the interior of the magazine to adapt it to engage with the top of the staples contained therein, and means for adjustably fastening said member in different positions relative to the interior of the magazine to adapt it to engage the tops of staples with relatively short legs or staples with legs of greater length.

8. In a device of the type indicated, a hollow magazine having an open top for loading staples thereinto with theirI legs resting on, the bottom of the magazine, a holddown member pivotally mounted above the magazine to adapt it to swing`downwardly to engage the tops of the staples contained in the magazine, latching means on said hold-down member, and means on said magazine engageable by said latching means at different distances from the bottom of the magazine to maintain said holddown member in engagement with the staples in accordance with selected varying heights thereof.

9. In a device of the type indicated, a hollow magazine having an open top for loading staples thereinto, a hold-down member pivoted on a fixed axis above said magazine to adapt it to swing downwardly into engagement with the top ofthe staples held therein, plungerpins 'slidably mounted on said hold-down member, a plurality of openings at Vthe sides of said magazine engageable by said plunger-pins, and a spring for sliding said plunger-pins to selectively engaget them Vwith different openings at the sides of the magazine for latching the hold-down member in position contacting the tops of the staples contained in the magazine.

l0. In a device of the type specified, a hollow magazine having an `open top for loading staples thereinto, `a hollow operating lever pivoted on a fixed axis at the rearward end of said magazine, a hold-down member pivoted coaxially of the operating lever -to extend within the contines thereof, and automatically-operated latching means engageable between said hold-down member and magazine for selectively retaining said hold-down member at different distances from the bottom of the magazine -to accommodate staples of ditferent heights contained therein.

ll. In a device of the type indicated, `a hollow magazine having an open side for loading staples thereinto, means for movably mounting the end of said magazine on a xed pivot, a hollow operating lever pivoted coaxially of the magazine, a hold-down member pivoted coaxially of said lever and extending longitudinally thereof, a spring carried between the operating lever and the hold-down member and tensioned -to pivot theV latter relatively thereto, and latching means engageable between said hold-down member and said magazine for selectively fastening said hold-down member in different positions relatively to the magazine for engaging the top of the staples contained therein in conformity with staples of selected varying heights.

r12. In .a device of the type indicated, a hollow magazine open alongV its side for loading staples thereinto, a driver-operating lever pivoted on the device to swing relative to saidmagazine, a hold-down member pivoted on a fixed axis above the magazine :and having spaced sides adapted to enter between the sides ofthe magazine, a springcarried between said operating lever and said holddown member and 'tensioned to swing said hold-down member downwardly to enter it into the magazine, and latching means selectively engageable between said holddown member and magazine to lock said hold-down member at dierent distances above the bottom of the magazine =to adapt it to engage the tops lof staples of selected varying heights.

13. In a device of the type indicated comprising a hollow magazine having an open top for loading staples thereinto, a hollow driver-lever pivoted at one end of said magazine, a hold-down member pivoted coaxially of said driver-lever, a leaf-spring carried between the top of said driver-lever land said hold-down -member and maintained under tension to cause said hold-down member to swing dow-n and engage the tops of the staples held in the magazine, and latching means engageable between the hold-down member and said magazine for selectively fastening said hold-down member in different positions relatively to the bottom of said magazine in conformity with staples of preselected varying heights contained in the magazine.

14. In a device of the type indicated, a hollow magazine having an `open top for loading staples thereinto with their Ilegs resting on the bottom thereof, a hollow operating lever so constructed and arranged as to move downwardly toward said magazine, a hold-down member carried bysaid operating lever and extending longitudinally in the interior thereof, resilient means carried between said lever and hold-down member for urging said member downwardly to engage it with the tops of the staples held in the magazine, and latching means engageable between saidmagazine and said hold-down member to selectively hold said meinberlin different positions relativeto the bottom of the magazine in `accordance with the height of different types of staples contained therein.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,427,156 Percoco Sept. 9, 1947 

